On 20 Dec, 1943, the coastal convoy STL-8 left Freetown with 12 merchant ships and HM BYMS-2017 (J 817) bound to several West African ports. There were warnings about U-boat activities along its route, but the convoy arrived safely at its destination Lagos on 28 December. However, the Dumana had lost contact with the convoy together with HMS Arran and HMS Southern Pride and was sunk by U-515 on 24 December.